Hi this is Dan Mazur, just back from a very successful season on Everest and the Himalayan peaks of Tibet and Nepal with a friendly group of men and women of all ages. I am writing to you from a gorgeous stormy north Pacific ocean side near to high mountains. The 4000 metre / 13,000 foot peaks towering above me are covered with glistening thick white glacier blankets tempting skiers, walkers, and climbers. Down here on the coastline, snow lies heavily in the trees and waves crash on the rocky beach in front of my house. Sea birds and gulls soar and call in the mist, waiting for the lowering tide to expose fresh crabs, while fur seals and whales hungrily circle schools of black-mouth salmon.

Believe it or not, I am working in the office and encourage you to contact me now for a chat about joining me during our next journey on 8th April, 2012, to the Himalayas in peaceful, beautiful, friendly, and uncrowded Tibet and Nepal.

We also have upcoming trips throughout the year in Africa, China, and South America, as well as the September-December season in Nepal and Tibet.

I invite you and your friends to join me and our team this year as we are going to have a very enjoyable and adventurous time in the mountains.

I will be leading my 9th Everest expedition, as well as basecamp treks, Everest training climbs, trips to Africa, and Glacier Schools. Welcome to the team!

Do you have any questions or ideas? Please feel free to email, telephone, skype, and facebook me.

I work for SummitClimb and SummitTrek, now in their 21st year, and it seems that 2011 was their most successful year ever. I was lucky enough to lead a team to the summit of Everest, in addition to several climbs and treks. We had 8 out of 8 members (100%) on the summit of Everest from Tibet and 5 out of 6 on the summit from Nepal. In fact, all of our big peak expeditions put their members on the summits, all treks reached basecamp, and all training climbs and mid-size mountain trips achieved their objectives.

My employers are avid mountain climbers and walkers, so they maintain their focus on providing the highest quality trip at the lowest cost. They never charge more than they would be willing to pay themselves. Please check out their payment options including accepting credit cards for 100% of your payment!

In addition, I must say I feel lucky to be working for a company that cares, with a strong focus on giving back to the poor families who live near Everest and helping with health, education, environmental and cultural preservation.

I look forward to speaking to you about Mountains, our favourite subject, to meeting, to climbing to the Summit together and to trekking and training together with you in 2012.

DURING APRIL AND MAY OF 2012, I INVITE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN ME ON THE SUMMIT AND BASECAMP OF EVEREST, where in 2011 our friendly and very well organized expedition of leaders and Sherpas put 8 out of 8 members and 6 sherpas on the summit. We visit Everest and her surrounding peaks in just over 10 weeks on April 8th. The Nepal and Tibet season begins in early April through June, then again in September through December. These seasons have the best weather and life is quiet, peaceful, and friendly out in the Himalaya.

ARE YOU FEELING CHALLENGED BY THE ECONOMY? We run our trips as efficiently as possible. If our prices seem low, this is because we are now in our 21st year of leading climbs and treks with friendly and fun groups of men and women of all ages. We have developed deep connections with the mountaineering and trekking sectors in Nepal and Tibet. It is our objective to continue offering affordable, safe, friendly, enjoyable, and successful climbing expeditions and walks.

PLEASE READ ALL OF THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS EMAIL TO DISCOVER FULL-SERVICE ADVENTURE IN THE HIMALAYA, ACONCAGUA, AND AFRICA DURING 2012.

NEPAL AND TIBET NEWS: Nepal and Tibet are very peaceful, calm, quiet and alluring at the moment. Tourist numbers are at pre-2008 levels due to the global economy. The political situation is very stable and back to normal. It’s a perfect time to visit, so please come on over. Welcome to our team!

INEXPENSIVE PLANE TICKETS ARE STILL EASY TO FIND: Please email or telephone me and I will gladly assist you in locating these.

EVEREST NEWS: For Everest climbers, we are now giving FREE OXYGEN, no charge for a five-bottle set.

EVEREST NEPAL BASECAMP WALK NEWS: 30% REDUCED PRICE! : Join Arnold Coster in April and May in 2012 for an affordable world famous basecamp trek. Spaces still available so join now! PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE SHERPAS, FREE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS, AND FREE HOTELS.

NOW IS THE TIME: Please indicate your 2012 interests very soon as we are currently gathering applications and filling out the permit applications. Welcome to our expedition and I look forward to chatting, meeting, and to walking and climbing together with you in 2012.

7 SUMMITS NEWS: In addition to Everest, in February 2012, you are invited to join me for a trip to Africa, where I am very excited to be leading a Walk to the top of Kilimanjaro (another of the famous 7-Summits), Climbing and Walking on Mt. Kenya, and Wildlife Safaris. Here is where our enjoyable team will be in February, you are welcome to join me and the gang, thanks for letting me know this week or next: http://www.AfricaSummitClimb.com . This is a fantastic Training Climb for Everest.

Also, we have a climb of Aconcagua, the famous 7-Summit and highest in all of the Americas. Would you like to join in February? Our top leader Max Kausch is very qualified, relaxed, and an excellent leader. Just a few places are left, so please do let me know in the next few days: http://www.AconcaguaSummitClimb.com . Get in top shape and prepare for Everest.

ACONCAGUA CLIMB: 7-Summit, highest in the Americas in January + February with expert leader. 20 days in Jan-Feb. Cheap Price: $2950 £1850 €2150;

NOW IN THEIR 21ST YEAR, http://www.SummitClimb.com and http://www.SummitTrek.com have built up some of the best, if I may say so, most knowledgeable and helpful, most qualified British, American, European, and Australian leaders, technically trained expert and friendly Sherpas, skillful cooks, delicious food, comfortable hotels, cozy basecamps, excellent tents, ropes, oxygen sets, climbing and safety equipment, and an extremely succesful track record.

WELL ORGANISED, GOOD VALUE and EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD: When comparing options please carefully check what is on offer and prior performance. I have worked for many different companies during my climbing career, and I feel that SummitClimb and SummitTrek offer the best organisation, very good value for money, and unmatched summit success. For example, all of their expeditions put members on the summit (and all of their treks, walks and training climbs reached their objectives) during 2011. Many teams had 100% success! SummitClimb and SummitTrek continue to focus on the following in 2012:

*** OUR PHILOSOPHY of encouraging people to explore and enjoy mountains by reducing our prices and opening up more affordable opportunities to train, learn, share, and explore the sport of mountain climbing and walking.

***AFFORDABLE EQUIPMENT PURCHASE ADVICE. As part of our enhanced customer service, we go over your equipment personally with you and advise you about the best types of gear and locations to purchase.

***OUR CHO OYU, SHISHAPANGMA, AND NORTH COL EVEREST TRAINING CLIMB PRICES HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY REDUCED. There is no better preparation for Everest than Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. From the North Col or the Camp 3 Training Climb you could achieve a personal altitude record and even transition directly to Everest.

***NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE? Our leaders can evaluate your abilities and teach you everything you need to know. Send us an email, facebook message, skype, or telephone us to discuss your goals and dreams!

***PREPARING FOR EVEREST? WE NOW OFFER 3 EVEREST TRAINING CLIMBS, including the Everest View Glacier School, awarded National Geographic Adventures ’25 Best New Trips’ where the focus is on gaining skills, working with the leaders and sherpas, and learning to use all of the equipment you need to get to the top. We offer everything from 6 day to 31 day trips where you can test yourself at high altitude, and progress onto Everest, Lhotse, or Cho Oyu.

***JOIN ONE OF OUR EVEREST TRAINING CLIMBS, AND, IF YOU FEEL WELL ENOUGH, YOU COULD EVEN CLIMB EVEREST OR LHOTSE ON THE SPOT, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

***MORE INTERESTED IN GENTLE AND BEAUTIFUL HIMALAYAN WALKS AND CULTURAL TOURS? We have a wide variety of fascinating walks and opportunities to explore the Himalaya, whether you wish to visit the world’s most famous basecamp, remote valleys where tourists seldom tread, or bring needed supplies to poor families living in rural villages near to, but on the “wrong side” of Mount Everest.

***SEE TIBET BEFORE IT CHANGES. We have worked very hard to develop good relations with Tibetans to keep the doors open and each year we are able to consistently obtain permission for all of our climbs and walks to visit Tibet. For example, during 2012 we have a series of exciting Tibetan adventures from the Summit of Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, the North Col, as well as a wide variety of fascinating training trips, stunning basecamp and advanced basecamp walks and cultural explorations.

***LEADER IN TRAINING PROGRAM. NEW FOR 2012: We have revamped our program and now encourage existing and aspiring mountain leaders and guides to join us to share their knowledge and to learn about how to assist everyone in discovering the wonders of high places. If you are already a mountain leader or wish to become one, please examine http://www.LeaderInTraining.com .

***DO YOU PREFER CLIMBING INDEPENDENTLY AND DOING THINGS ON YOUR OWN? Please check out our **BASIC CLIMBS**, open to individuals who want to “do their own thing” and prefer a high level of autonomy and extremely low cost, yet still benefit from well-organized permits, transport logistics, advice about where and what equipment and supplies to obtain, walkie talkie and satphone communications, rescue, medical, fixed ropes, tent and camp security, etcetera.

***HOW SERIOUS ARE WE ABOUT GIVING BACK TO PEOPLE WHO LOVE MOUNTAINS? WE OFFER TWO FREE TRIPS: http://www.AlpsMeet.org and http://www.SeattleGlacierSchool.org , where you can meet like minded people, learn about mountains, share what you know, and have a load of fun. Welcome new and old friends, men and women of all ages, at no charge, free of cost!

OUR CLIMBS AND WALKS ARE LISTED BELOW and feature the best most experienced American, British, European, and Australian leaders who teach you everything you need to know, top notch trained and highly qualified sherpas, delicious food, excellent equipment, tents, radios, satphones, oxygen, etcetera. Our prices are for full-service, including everything imaginable from door to door, from KTM-basecamp-summit, and back. We also list prices for “basic” climbs, a stripped down version of the trip to help you save your pennies.

EVEREST TIBET SUMMIT EXPEDITION 2012: http://www.EverestClimb.com – Basic Cost: $12,750, £7,950, €9,250. Full Service Cost: $27,450, £16,850, €19,850. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE SUMMIT CLIMB AND THE WALK/DRIVE TO BASECAMP: FREE OXYGEN, FREE SHERPAS, AND FREE HOTELS. Please join me, Dan Mazur, 9 time Everest leader, for an exciting and affordable 60 day expedition in April and May. ***2011 expedition 100% summit success, 8 out of 8 on the summit. View the latest news at: http://www.EverestTibetNews.com . Exotic and less crowded Tibet, with the best views of Everest in the world. Made famous in 1928 by Mallory and Irvine. By the way, we have an office in Lhasa and ALWAYS obtain our Tibet permits.

EVEREST NEPAL SUMMIT EXPEDITION 2O12: http://www.EverestNepalClimb.com – Basic Cost: $19,850, £12,250, €14,450. Full Service Cost: $35,450, £21,950, €25,750. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE SUMMITCLIMB AND THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE OXYGEN, FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. Friendly leader Arnold Coster has 5 Everest expeditions and is one of the best in the business. 60 days in April and May at a very low price. ***2011 expedition summit success, 5 out of 6 on the summit. View the latest news at: http://www.EverestNepalNews.com . The classic climb on Everest, following in the footsteps of Hillary and Tenzing.

EVEREST TIBET TRAINING CLIMB AND NORTH COL 2012: http://www.EverestTibetTrainingClimb.com and http://www.North-Col.com – Full Service Cost $7850, £4850, €5650. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND THE WALK/DRIVE TO BASECAMP WITH FREE SHERPAS AND FREE HOTELS. Please join me, Dan Mazur, 9 time Everest leader, for an exciting and affordable 28 day expedition in April or May, and a great chance to learn all about climbing, see how you feel at altitude, visit exotic Tibet, and if you are feeling well, transition to Everest and Cho Oyu AT NO EXTRA COST. View the latest news at: http://www.NorthColNews.com . Climb very high in exotic Tibet in a short period of time at an excellent price. Exotic and less crowded Tibet, with the best views of Everest in the world. Made famous in 1928 by Mallory and Irvine. By the way, we have an office in Lhasa and ALWAYS obtain our Tibet permits. Leader Dan Mazur and our friendly expert Sherpas teach you everything you need to know. Get Qualified for Everest, and climb to the summit of Everest on the spot if you feel well.

EVEREST NEPAL CAMP 3 TRAINING CLIMB: http://www.EverestTrainingClimb.com – Full Service Cost $8650, £5350, €6250. Sixteen day option: $6350, £3850, €4350. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. Friendly leader Arnold Coster, has 5 Everest expeditions and is one of the best in the business. 31 days, or 16 days school only, in April or May, and an affordable way to learn all about climbing, see how you feel at altitude, visit beautiful Nepal, and if you are feeling well, transition to Everest AT NO EXTRA COST. ***2011 expedition 100% summit success. View the latest news at: http://www.EverestTrainingClimbNews.com . The classic climb on Everest, following in the footsteps of Hillary and Tenzing. Leader Arnold and our friendly expert Sherpas teach you everything you need to know. Get Qualified for Everest, and climb to the summit on the spot if you feel well.

EVEREST GLACIER SCHOOL: http://www.EverestGlacierSchool.com – REDUCED PRICE: $2950 £1850 €2150, Seven day option: $1450, £950, €1050. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. Friendly leader Ang Sange Sherpa, has led 14 Glacier Schools, and is an excellent instructor and a very friendly person, and teaches everything you need to know. 22 days (or 7 days for the school and climb only) during April, May, or October. If you feel well enough on the April trip you can transition directly to the Everest Nepal Training Climb or Cho Oyu. ***2011 expedition 100% summit success! View the latest news at: http://www.EverestGlacierSchoolNews.com . AWARDED NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S “25 BEST NEW TRIPS”.

EVEREST TIBET ADVANCED BASECAMP WALK: http://www.AdvancedBasecampWalk.com – Full Service Cost: $3,850, £2,350, €2,750. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE DRIVE ACROSS TIBET AND WALK UP TO ADVANCED BASECAMP: FREE SHERPAS AND FREE HOTELS. Please join me, Dan Mazur, 9 time Everest leader, for an exciting and affordable 20 day walk in April or May, and a good chance to see exotic Tibet. View the latest news at: http://www.AdvancedBaseCampNews.com . Rustic, Medieval and Less crowded Tibet, with the best views of Everest in the world, much better than in Nepal. Made famous in 1928 by Mallory and Irvine. ***Everyone reached basecamp during our recent trek. By the way, we have an office in Lhasa and ALWAYS obtain our Tibet permits.

EVEREST NEPAL BASECAMP WALK: http://www.EverestBasecampWalk.com – Full Service Cost: $1850, £1150, €1450. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE SHERPAS, FREE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS, AND FREE HOTELS. Friendly leader Arnold Coster, has 5 Everest expeditions and is one of the best in the business. 18 days in April, May or October. Wander gentle and wide snow-free trails through beautiful green terraced villages with amazing Himalayan views. Includes top-notch sherpas, delicious food, high-quality tents and excellent equipment. Visit our world’s most famous basecamp and hike the Everest view ridge of Kala Patar. Follow in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Sherpa who made the first ascent of Everest. ***Everyone reached basecamp during our recent trek. View the latest news at: http://www.BasecampNews.com .

CHO OYU CLIMB, THE WORLD’S BEST PREPARATION FOR EVEREST: http://www.ChoOyuClimb.com – Basic Climb Cost: $7,150, £4,450, €5,150. Full Service Cost: $11,850, £7,350, €8,550. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND THE WALK/DRIVE TO BASECAMP WITH FREE SHERPAS AND FREE HOTELS. 38 days in April-May & Sep-Oct. ‘Easy’ snow climb of the 6th highest mountain in the world. There is probably no better preparation for climbing Everest. Most accessible of the world’s “8,000 metre”, 26,000 foot high peaks. 4-time Cho Oyu leader Max Kausch is extremely experienced, friendly, and teaches you everything you need to know. Located beside Everest on the edge of the exotic Tibetan Plateau. It is possible to ski and snowboard Cho Oyu. ***2011 expedition 7 out of 9 members reached the summit! View the latest news at: http://www.ChoOyuNews.com . By the way, we have an office in Lhasa and ALWAYS obtain our Tibet permits.

LHOTSE CLIMB, 4TH HIGHEST IN THE WORLD, CLIMBED FROM THE SAME ROUTE AS EVEREST: http://www.LhotseClimb.com Basic Climb Cost: $6,850, £4,250, €4,950. Full Service Cost: $14,850, £9,250, €10,750. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE SUMMITCLIMB AND THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE OXYGEN, FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. 60 days in April-May. Climb the fourth highest peak in the world from the same route as our Everest Nepal Expedition. 5 time Everest summitter and experienced Lhotse leader Arnold Coster is friendly, helpful, well organized, and teaches you everything you need to know. Branch off the Everest route just before high camp and ascend the infamous Lhotse Couloir to the summit. A brilliant way to check out Everest up close and climb a high and challenging summit for reduced cost. ***2011 expedition 100% summit success! View the latest news at: http://www.LhotseNews.com .

MUSTAGATA CLIMB, WORLD’S EASIEST 7500 METRE / 24,606 FOOT HIGH PEAK, FAMOUS FOR WALKING, CLIMBING, SNOWSHOEING, SKIING, BOARDING, AND SNOW RAQUETTING: http://www.MustagataClimb.com – Basic Climb Cost: $2750, £1650, €1950. Full Service Cost: $5450, £3350, €3750. Leader Jon Otto is friendly and experienced and speaks perfect English and Chinese. Jon will teach you everything you need to know. In just 25 days for a reasonable cost, you can climb this very high but moderate snow peak (average slope angle just 18 degrees). Climbing Mustagata could qualify you for Everest. Includes top-notch sherpas, delicious food, high-quality tents and excellent equipment. ***Our 2011 expeditions were very safe and successful! View the latest news at: http://www.MustagataNews.com . SELECTED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AS “BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATION 2012”.

AMA DABLAM CLIMB, ASIA’S MOST FAMOUS ROCK, SNOW, AND ICE PEAK. THE MATTERHORN OF THE HIMALAYA. TECHNICAL BUT CLIMBABLE: http://www.AmaDablamClimb.com – Basic Climb Cost: $3250, £1950, €2250. Full Service Cost: $6850, £4250, €4750. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND THE WALK TO BASECAMP: FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. 29 days in October-November. Located just 15 km / 10 miles from Everest. Among the most photographed peaks in the world. Everything for the novice to the expert climber. Beautiful rock is solid granite “scrambling”. Basecamp is located in a lovely grassy meadow. The hardest pitch is 12 metres / 40 feet of French class 4, British Severe, or North American 5.7. You will be following, not leading, on secure fixed ropes. Test yourself to 7000 metres / 23,000 feet. 4 time team leader Max Kausch is very experienced and friendly. He will review all needed skills on small cliffs around the warm and sunny basecamp. Climbing Ama Dablam qualifies you for Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Shishapangma. ***2011 Summit success: 10 out of 11 members on the summit! View the latest news at: http://www.AmaDablamNews.com .

BARUNTSE CLIMB, GRAND CIRCLE CLIMBING TRIP THROUGH THE EVEREST HIMALAYA. 3 PEAKS IN ONE, MERA PEAK, BARUNTSE AND AMPHULABTSA: http://www.BaruntseClimb.com – Full Service Cost: $7,650, £4,750, €5,550. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND WALK: FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. 34 days in October-November. Just 15km / 10 miles from Everest, Baruntse is known as Nepal’s ‘easiest’ 7000 metre / 23,000 foot peak. Hiking on snow which is steep and exposed at times, but not technically difficult. Experienced friendly leader Dan Mazur teaches you everything you need to know. Make a great ‘circle-trek’ through remote valleys near Everest. “Three trips in one” includes easy Mera “trekking-peak” 6500 metres / 21,500 feet high and a crossing of the famous “Amphu-Labtsa” pass at 5800 metres / 19,000 feet. Climbing Baruntse qualifies you for Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Shishapangma. ***2011 expedition success: 7 members on the summit of Mera Peak and Baruntse. First team to reach the summit, two years in a row. View the latest news: http://www.BaruntseNews.com .

MERA PEAK TREK, REMOTE NEPAL AT ITS FINEST, A GORGEOUS TREKKING PEAK WITH THE BEST VIEWS OF EVEREST: http://www.TrekMera.com – REDUCED PRICE: $2950 £1850 €2150. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND WALK: FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE INTERNAL FLIGHTS. 22 days in October. Mera Peak has perhaps the best Everest views of any mountain, because Mera stands back at a distance from the range. It is a 6500 metre / 21,000 foot high but relatively easy ‘trekking peak’ located in a gorgeous remote area of Nepal, where uncut ancient forests and deep river gorges abound. Your leader Dan Mazur is experienced, friendly, and will teach you everything you need to know. It is also possible to ski and snowboard Mera Peak. Trekking Mera is good preparation for Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Everest Nepal Training Climb, Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, and Mustagata. ***2011 expedition success: 7 members on the summit! View the latest news: http://www.MeraPeakNews.com .

SHISHAPANGMA CLIMB, THE LOWEST OF THE WORLD’S FOURTEEN 8000 METRE PEAKS. THE BEST POSSIBLE PREPARATION FOR EVEREST: http://www.ShishapangmaClimb.com – Basic Climb Cost: $7,150, £4,450, €5150. Full Service Cost: $11,850, £7,350, €8,550. 20% discount for combining with Cho Oyu. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND THE WALK/DRIVE TO BASECAMP WITH FREE SHERPAS AND FREE HOTELS. 38 days September-October or 15 days in October (Cho Oyu combination). ‘Easy’ snow climb of the less crowded & lowest of the world’s 14 eight thousand metre, 26,000 foot high mountains, located in exotic Tibet near Everest. Led by Dan Mazur who teaches you everything you need to know. Dan is a 9 time Everest Leader, and this is his third Shishapangma expedition. Our sherpas are extremely experienced, our food is delicious and our tents and equipment are among the best. Climbing Shishapangma qualifies you for Everest from Tibet, Everest from Nepal, and Lhotse. You may wish to combine with Cho Oyu to climb Shisha in just 15 days and save 20%. Also, it is possible to ski and snowboard Shisha. ***2011 expedition: 4 out of 5 members reached the summit, and the Cho-Shish “double header” was 100% successful. View the latest news at: http://www.ShishaPangmaNews.com . By the way, we have an office in Lhasa and ALWAYS obtain our Tibet permits.

http://www.SeattleGlacierSchool.org – 7 days in July. Free of cost. No charge. Leader: Dan Mazur is a friendly and accomplished leader who teaches you everything you need to know. Learn glacier climbing and snow camping. Purchase or hire – rent mountaineering equipment at one of the many inexpensive mountain climbing shops in Seattle. After several days of instruction and practice, attempt one of the most glaciated 4000 metre / 14,000 foot high peaks in lower North America. ***Our 2011 glacier school was very safe and successful! View the latest news at: http://www.SeattleGlacierSchoolNews.com .

http://www.AlpsMountainMeet.com – Free of cost, no charge. 1 or 2 weeks in France during late February and early March, led by Dan Mazur who teaches you everything you need to know. It’s not as expensive as you think, around £48 per day includes accommodation and 2 meals a day. Week 1: skiing/boarding on/backcountry in Tignes, with a chance to climb 3,800 metre / 12,500 foot high peaks. Week 2: climbing around Chamonix including glaciers, ice and mixed couloirs. It is not necessary to know how to ski. View the latest news at: http://www.AlpsMeetNews.com .

http://www.EverestBasecampServiceTrek.org – Donation: $3450, £2150, €2450 (your contribution for the trek and your international flight are gift aid tax eligible). PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR TREK, INCLUDING FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS. 22 days in April and October. Support trek with the Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development (MEFSD) to the Pema Choling Buddhist women’s convent, also known as the Deboche Nunnery, where 12 impoverished nuns live in an ancient convent. After visiting and helping, walk to Everest Base Camp and the famous Everest viewing ridge of Kala Pattar. Leader Ang Sange Sherpa, 15 Everest Basecamp Treks. ***During our recent trek, members helped to install a greenhouse and water line.

http://www.RemoteNepalServiceWalk.org – Donation: $1850, £1150, €1250 (100% of your contribution for the trek and your international flight are gift aid eligible). PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR TREK, INCLUDING FREE SHERPAS, FREE HOTELS, AND FREE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS. 15 days June or November – December. Join experienced friendly leader Dan Mazur and staff of the Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development (MEFSD) to walk the beautiful green foothills beneath Mount Everest and explore ancient uncut forests and terraced farmlands. Visit friendly farm families living a traditional life, and deliver needed medical and educational supplies to remote schools and hospitals. Try your hand at school teaching, building construction, and seeing patients. THIS IS A LOW ALTITUDE TREK, you will never step on snow nor walk higher than 2700 metres / 8850 feet. Discounts for medical professionals and teachers. ***During our recent trek, members delivered needed medical and school supplies and clothing, also tried their hand at teaching and seeing patients. View the latest news at: http://www.ServiceTrekNews.org .

http://www.KiliTrek.com – Kilimanjaro, 14-22 February or August (9 days). One of the famous “7-summits”. A brilliant introduction to high altitude mountaineering on the highest mountain in all of Africa. Kili is only easy walking to the top on solid trails, there is no climbing. A fast way to see how you feel at altitude in exotic Africa. Leader Dan Mazur teaches you everything you need to know and has climbed Kili 5 times. Cost $2950, £1850, €2150. View the latest news at: http://www.KiliTrekNews.com .

http://www.KenyaClimb.com – Mt. Kenya trek or optional rock climb, 21-28 February or August (8 days). This is the 2nd highest peak in Africa. Stunning forests with lots of wildlife, high altitude cloud forest and above treeline terrain. Much less crowded than Kilimanjaro with a gorgeous summit circuit walk, the highlight of which is the stunning sunrise from famous Point Lenana. Optional exciting 16 pitch rock climb on good granite. Hardest pitch North American 5.7, French 4, British Severe. Should you choose the optional rock climb, you will be following, not leading, on secure fixed ropes. Leader Dan Mazur has climbed Mt. Kenya three times. Cost $1850, £1150, €1350. View the latest news at: http://www.MtKenyaNews.com .

http://www.AconcaguaSummitClimb.com – 20 days in January / February. SPECIAL LOW PRICE. One of the famous “7-summits”. A brilliant introduction to high altitude mountaineering on the highest mountain in all of the Americas. 7,000 metres / 23,000 feet. Leader Max Kausch: experienced, friendly, speaks perfect English + Spanish. Max has climbed Aconcagua five times and teaches everything you need to know. There is no “climbing” on Aconcagua’s easy terrain, its just a walk on rocky (and occasionally snowy) trails. However, it’s still challenging, as with occasional snow and wind on summit day, crampons, ice axe, mountaineering boots and winter clothing are required. High altitude for a low price and a short duration of time. Aconcagua can help qualify you for Everest. REDUCED PRICE: $2950 £1850 €2150. ***Our last Aconcagua expedition was very safe and successful! View the latest news at: http://www.AconcaguaSummitClimbNews.com . ONLY A FEW PLACES LEFT, SO PLEASE BOOK NOW.

This brings us to the close of our first newsletter for 2012, our 21st Anniversary, and I look forward to climbing, walking, and doing service work with you in 2012.

Thanks for reading, and I would like to speak to you further about our favorite topic: MOUNTAINS. Please email, facebook, skype, or telephone me at your earliest opportunity. In case I am out walking and climbing when you ring, do leave a clear message with your name, email address, and phone number, best time to ring back, etcetera.

THANKS FOR TELLING YOUR FRIENDS, PLEASE KEEP THE QUESTIONS COMING, AND LETS CARRY ON THE DISCUSSION.